Chapter 2: Hunted

What seemed as a couple of hours, X managed to stumble across an inn. It was rather secluded. After coming across it, he was subconsciously drawn to it. He could not help to realize that he was already inside the inn. Bewildered by his actions, he could only think to wish that there was vacancy. Slowly the inn keeper asked, “What is it that you seek?” The lady must not have been older than himself, but he knew it was rude to give a number to her age.

“A room for two days, how ever I ….” X had just started to tell the inn keeper. With out looking up she had cut him off before he had the chance to finish.  She replied with a cunning smile “I asked what it is you seek, not how much money you have. There is a room that you may rest in if you please sir.” There was a pause in the air that had seem too stiffen, as if there was no life any where before dying down.

As the inn keeper got up, X had seen she had mostly grey hair mixed with little bit of a faded black. Light signs of wrinkles we visible due to smiling or frowning. After meeting her X was still unsure of the cause. It was when she had fully stood up that he jumped in disbelief, the color of her eyes were purple. “Before you ask me anything, it is rude to question your host, especially that you are staying here with out any payment. I only asked what you were seeking, not what sparked you curiosity with me. However, if you would have asked that instead I would have indulged.” Smirked the inn keeper as she did not miss the beat.

“You may address me as Alyishia” said the inn keeper kindly. Can she read minds, questioned X. No, it must be due to her occupation that she is rather used to being queried about her background. X started to calm down as he continued to think about it logically. Finally after trailing her, they ended up coming to a room at the very end of the hall. “The room before us is yours. Please do be mindful when it comes to your needs. On the day of departure I will no longer be here.” She smiled upon finishing her sentence.

……..

As Israel was racing as fast as he could on his stallion, he could start to the see the lights of the Henderson’s estate in the horizon. Before long he started to slow down as he was could see the gates. He called to the guard quickly. “Open it, it is me Israel!” Without any response form the guard the massive black iron fence began to open up. His house started trotting towards the stalls, in one swift motion he jumped off the the house and passed the reigns to the grounds keeper who stood near by the stalls.

Steadily composing himself, as he got closer to the main entrance to the estate. The guards on patrol did not question him as they knew his arrival meant something was afloat. Israel had been there many times. No matter how many times he had been here, he never brought any bad news. He entered the estate with a solum expression. His eye’s surveyed the room with a rather fast but extremely accurate observation. There, he stood, Samuel’s  father, Lord Henderson. He was in the middle of  conversation with another guest that seemed to have come right before Israel had gotten there.

Lord Henderson was a tall but rather caramel complected person. His hair was a dark brown, along with his eyes. He was very clean shaven, and there stood a form of arrogance with in him. His garments would rival that of royalty, not a single wrinkle was ever spotted. The white long sleeved satin shirt was fastened together by buttons made of gold. Each button had housed a single gem the size of a small pebble. The pants were lined with a thick gold fiber, that could not be hidden even if there was not light present. His shoes were no less than the finest leather; they were also studded with gold hardware.

Israel quickly walked up to Lord Henderson and bowed before speaking. “Excuse me my lord, may I have a moment with you.” Lord Henderson did not bother to turn around to see who it was, for he had recognized Israel’s voice. “No, there is rather an import matter that needs my attention rather promptly.” Said Lord Henderson firmly. Israel panicked, and gathered what little courage he had left and said, “Lord Henderson, Samuel was slayed, yesterday. Our group was quickly defeated. Numbers did nothing but hinder us. By the time I regained consciousness…” Slap! The sound was crystal clear, everyone in the estate had herd it as if they were the one that suffered the blow.

“Excuse me, come again” Lord Henderson demanded with a darken expression.“Sir, a foreigner came to the establishment and what had started as a simple joke turned into a deathly scene. In a matter a few minutes everyone had been defeated, only a handful had remained alive after the series of attacks. When I had regained consciousness there was brother Samuel, laying on the floor. He received a stab wound to the chest that pierced his heart. We have sent men to trail him while I came personally to deliver the news.” Israel had replied with a rather quick but wincing voice.

He knew that Lord Henderson was not to be trifled with. As the head of the Hendrickson’s, he tolerated very little. Failure was often associated with a painful death. “From what I understand you failed to protect your sworn brother and let the perpetrator escape? Is this correct?” Demanded jeramy. “Yes sir.” Said Israel weakly. Lord Henderson shouted “You are worthless! After all these years you have become lazy with your duties as a sworn brother. Not only did you fail miserably but you taint the very name of Samuel. You shall be tied to the horses and pulled to the four corners of the earth. You will become the very embodiment of failure!” After delivering those words, Israel knew there was no hope left for him. With a murderous aura, he coldly said “Take him to the in house prison.” He could not help to look at Israel with a disgusted look.

“Lord Henderson, the man wielded a mysterious blade that was translucent, and carried with him a pendant with the Eternal Depths Sapphire!” Shouted Israel as he had tiers coming down his face. Slowly Lord Henderson turned around, his face still crimson from the news of his son’s death.“What did you say? A translucent blade and the Eternal Depth Sapphire?” Before Israel knew he was face to face with a murderous tyrant.

“If you dare lie to me about this you death sentence will only harshen” remarked Lord Henderson bitterly. “There is only one material that can be forged in to a weapon and is translucent, that is the Transcending Ice Crystal. It is said to be a relic of the past for no one has found any in the last century, the same can be said about the Eternal Depths Sapphire.” Lord Henderson began to wonder who could be a man that has such a weapon.

Truth be told since has been over a one hundred years since any news of the Transcending Ice Crystal. Much information about it was lost. The only knowledge that was left behind about it was very limited. Lord Henderson only knew that the material could only be manipulated once by having it reach a temperature that would increate any metal. Once it was heated up, it then had to be molded. The crystal would never turns from a solid to a liquid, making almost impossible to work with. It was said that a sword made from this crystal was sharp enough to slice a diamond, but hard enough to shatter a boulder.

On the other hand, the Eternal Depths Sapphire was truly a mystery of its own. There was very little know of it outside its color and that it could only be harvested in the deepest part of the oceans floor. In turn, rumors did not run short. It was believed as miracle stone, that if one wore it as jewelry; it would act like a charm a repel all sicknesses and pestilence. Others say that if you were to grab even the smallest piece of the sapphire and throw it into a volcano, the entire volcano would be put out as if it were a candle.

Lord Henderson’s mind race as he thought of these two materials. He had come to despise of how little information was actually preserved over time. It was very fortunate to have amassed such a plethora of books in the Henderson’s family study. This is partly why the information that he possessed was considered to be in depth.

Israel was shocked to hear these words. No wonder why we fell so quickly. Any man that has these two in his possessions would be unfathomably powerful. Could it be that Samuel recognized this and took the opportunity to gather these items himself? He could not help to wonder what it was that made Samuel decide to make such actions upon that man. His thoughts were interrupted by a final shout. “If you dare deceive me, there will be no chance of redemption, for even you soul will die a thousand deaths!” Shouted Lord Henderson.

………